Ikea Monkey's owner plans custody battle

Darwin the #IkeaMonkey

Yasmin Nakhuda has gone to court to win custody of Darwin, a monkey now in the care of handlers at the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary. Nakhuda dismisses accusations that she and her family abused Darwin. The allegations are contained in court papers filed by the sanctuary. (Family photo)

The City of Toronto released this photo Monday, Dec, 10, 2012, of Darwin, the monkey found in the North York Ikea parking lot on Sunday.

The City of Toronto released this photo Monday, Dec, 10, 2012, of Darwin, the monkey found in the North York Ikea parking lot on Sunday.

A monkey dressed in a jacket waits in a car parked in the Ikea North York parking lot in Toronto on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Caitlin McGuire photo

Toronto Sun/QMI Agency

A monkey dressed in a jacket waits in a car parked in the Ikea North York parking lot in Toronto on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Caitlin McGuire photo

Toronto Sun/QMI Agency

This well-dressed monkey was found at a North York Ikea store on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (LISA LIN PHOTO)

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So says the owner of Darwin the Ikea Monkey, currently in the hands of the Toronto Animal Service.

Yasmin Nakhuda told AM640's John Oakley Tuesday morning that she's sure this is what Darwin would want too.

The real estate lawyer said she's preparing to take the matter to court and begin a monkey custody battle.

She said part of her concern is when she tried to bring Darwin back to its breeder in Montreal, the monkey became very upset and wouldn't leave her side.

Darwin had tremendous separation anxiety, Nakhuda said.

She said she thinks Darwin is missing her.

She understands the reason to send Darwin to the sanctuary, but "I understand Darwin more than they do," Nakhuda said.

"He is very clingy," she said. "Darwin is like a human being. He is very special."

She said Darwin considered her its mother and slept and showered with her.

The coat the monkey was wearing in pictures in the IKEA parking lot on Sunday was made to measure, she said.

She is hoping to be able to visit Darwin at the animal sanctuary in Sunderland, Ont, which is located about 95 km north of Toronto. She said her plan was to move to the country to gain more space for Darwin.